Trump Critiques Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show Announcement
President Donald Trump voiced his discontent regarding Bad Bunny's selection as the halftime performer for Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. During an appearance on Newsmax’s Greg Kelly Reports on October 6, Trump was asked about a potential boycott of the NFL following the announcement.
"I’ve never heard of him," Trump stated, dismissing the Puerto Rican rapper's popularity. "I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy." His remarks continued with a strong critique: "I think it’s absolutely ridiculous."
Shifting gears, Trump also addressed the NFL's new kickoff rules, which were made permanent for the 2025 season. "While we’re at it, I’d like for them to change the kickoff rule, which looks ridiculous," he argued, describing the current setup where players stand idly as the ball floats in the air.
The new rules dictate that the ball is kicked from the 35-yard line, with players on the kicking team lining up at the returning team’s 40-yard line. They must wait until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20-yard line before moving. This change aims to reduce injuries during kickoff returns.
"It’s not any safer than the regular kickoff," Trump asserted. "I think it just looks so terrible. I think it really demeans football, to be honest with you. It’s a great game. But it demeans football."
Bad Bunny's announcement as the halftime performer came on September 28, generating mixed reactions. During his hosting stint on Saturday Night Live on October 4, he addressed some of the backlash humorously: "You may not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime show. I’m very happy and I think everyone is very happy about it! Even Fox News."
SNL featured a montage of conservative commentary humorously altered to suggest, "Bad Bunny is my favorite musician and he should be the next president." Bad Bunny also quipped in Spanish, "If you didn’t understand now what I just said, you have four months to learn!"
Criticism from conservative figures has been notable, including former race car driver Danica Patrick. On September 29, she expressed her disapproval via X: "No songs in English should not be allowed at one of America’s highest rated television events of the year… not just for sports."
Patrick reiterated her stance on Steve Bannon’s "War Room" podcast on October 3, stating her indifference towards performers' nationalities but emphasizing her desire for singable music: "His music is almost nothing in English."
Despite the backlash, Bad Bunny's selection has garnered support from various artists, including Jennifer Lopez, who praised him during an interview on the Today show: "I think he’s about to blow everybody’s mind. It’s an introduction to some people."
